The Male Lead I Wronged Has Blackened

CHAPTER 13: Despicable Acts

　　“Xiaoyao Tower’s move doesn’t seem right, does it?”

　　Xiao Cheng wanted to teach Jiang Shuo a lesson, but with Tu Ming present, he didn’t dare act rashly. All he could do was voice his dissatisfaction.

　　The Xiao clan pressed Tu Ming, demanding an explanation.

　　Tu Ming rubbed the small stone in his palm, reluctant to let it go. When faced with their questions, he replied calmly, “Xiaoyao Tower has rules. Bidding is not limited to spirit stones. If someone can offer a supreme treasure recognized by Xiaoyao Tower, they may participate in the auction.”

　　“You’re saying this black little rock is a supreme treasure? Who are you trying to fool?” Xiao Cheng was furious. He felt Xiaoyao Tower was clearly favoring that pretty boy in white.

　　“We haven’t even given up bidding. Why end it just like that?”

　　Tu Ming’s face remained calm, wearing a gentle smile. His tone was soft but unyielding: “The owner of the Vermilion Bird egg requested an immediate sale to close this auction.” He paused, then cupped his hands politely toward the Xiao clan. “I apologize for the inconvenience. On another day, Xiaoyao Tower will visit with a generous gift to make amends.”

　　Although Tu Ming’s expression was kind, his words left no room for argument. Even knowing the Xiao clan’s immense power, he showed no fear.

　　“Why should we accept this? We refuse!” The Xiao clan erupted in anger.

　　“This action by Xiaoyao Tower is indeed a bit unfair,” someone from the Yun clan murmured in discontent.

　　Compared to the Yun clan’s complaints, the young woman seated in the center, surrounded by her clan, remained silent. Since Jiang Shuo placed his bid, her gaze had not left the man sitting there so calmly.

　　Yun Xiangxiang’s eyes shone with emotion as she stared at Jiang Shuo in shock.

　　After returning home and reporting her safety to her mother, Jiang Shuo had already left without even saying goodbye. She had asked her father why he had gone in such a hurry, but he had been vague and offered no explanation. Now, she never expected to see him here.

　　Her gaze shifted to the blue-clad girl sitting beside Jiang Shuo. Her eyes darkened instantly. Was this the reason Jiang Shuo had left so abruptly without saying goodbye?

　　Jiang Shuo had noticed Yun Xiangxiang’s stare, but he ignored her completely, acting as if she didn’t exist.

　　A pang of heartbreak flickered in Yun Xiangxiang’s eyes. She bit her lip and called out softly, “Jiang Shuo.”

　　In the past, she had always called him Brother Jiang. This time, she dared to call him by his full name.

　　“What? He is Jiang Shuo?” Hearing Yun Xiangxiang address the white-robed man as Jiang Shuo sent shockwaves through the crowd.

　　“Is he really the one who single-handedly destroyed the Xuan Yang Sect?” someone gasped, sneaking a glance at Jiang Shuo as if he were some fearsome god of death.

　　To Si Yao, it felt like she had only been gone a few days, yet ten years had passed in this world. During that time, Jiang Shuo had grown from the boy she once bullied into a renowned powerhouse, his name echoing across the land.

　　When the crowd realized it was Jiang Shuo who dared provoke the two great clans, whispers spread like wildfire. Jiang Shuo was a ruthless man who had single-handedly destroyed the Xuan Yang Sect; it was likely that the two great clans would not gain any advantage against him.

　　“Jiang Shuo, why are you…” Yun Xiangxiang wanted to ask why he was here, yet seeing his bold actions stirred a strange ache in her heart. She also wondered why he was competing with the Yun clan for the Vermilion Bird egg, but her thoughts tangled, leaving her tongue tied.

　　“Tu Ming, this man is Jiang Shuo, and he has long-standing ties with Yun Xiangxiang. If he intervenes rashly, it must have been planned privately with the Yun clan. This outcome may compromise the fairness of the Xiaoyao Tower's Auction,” said a slightly older man from the Xiao clan, standing to address Tu Ming.

　　Upon hearing the words of the Xiao clan member, the other guests below began to discuss heatedly. “I heard Jiang Shuo destroyed the Xuan Yang Sect with his sword because of Yun Xiangxiang.”

　　“Everyone is talking about it. Yun Xiangxiang was poisoned by Xuan Yang Sect scoundrels and left for dead. Jiang Shuo’s fury for the sake of love led to the sect’s destruction.”

　　“Then the rumors of Jiang Shuo and Yun Xiangxiang being fond of each other must be true. Could it be that Jiang Shuo bought this Vermilion Bird egg today just to give it to her?”

　　Guests leaned in, whispering and speculating on Jiang Shuo’s motives. The story only grew with every retelling.

　　At the auction, all the young cultivators accompanying Yun Xiangxiang were unaware that Jiang Shuo had already made it clear to the Yun clan that he had no personal interest in her. Hearing the speculation, and recalling how Jiang Shuo had traveled so far to save their young lady and personally return her to the Yun clan, they believed the story about his intentions at least seventy percent.

　　Yun Xiangxiang herself felt a flutter in her heart. Could it be that Jiang Shuo had known she needed the Vermilion Bird egg all along and had intentionally bought it for her?

　　All the care and effort he had shown in finding the antidote over those days left her slightly dazed. Perhaps, just perhaps, he had a place for her in his heart.

　　“Xiaoyao Tower Auction, regardless of private or personal motives, goes to the highest bidder,” Tu Ming said firmly, ignoring the Xiao clan’s protests. “We only see who offers the highest price. Why or how they bid is none of our concern.”

　　He paused briefly, then added, “The treasure this guest presented cannot be matched, even with a century of the Xiao clan’s earnings.”

　　“What nonsense! That’s just a worthless stone!” Xiao Cheng felt insulted. A mere stone, and Tu Ming claimed it could rival a hundred years of Xiao clan wealth.

　　The older Xiao man pressed a hand on Xiao Cheng, signaling him to stop. Jiang Shuo’s reputation spread across the entire Canglan Continent, and he had always been close to Yun Xiangxiang. Feng City was the Yun clan’s territory, and a confrontation now would be disastrous for them.

　　At this point, all they could do was swallow their pride, endure the slight, and return to Qing City to plot their next move.

　　The Xiao clan backed down, and the Yun clan fell silent. The situation was settled, and no one dared to challenge it. Tu Ming sent a waiter carrying the tray with the Vermilion Bird egg toward Jiang Shuo and Si Yao.

　　The Yun clan members watched the tray pass by their side and head straight to Jiang Shuo. Their faces lit up with smiles, as if the treasure already belonged to them.

　　Yun Xiangxiang’s cheeks turned slightly pink, her beautiful face tinged with a shy smile.

　　Seeing the Yun clan’s reaction, everyone present became even more certain that Jiang Shuo had bought the egg for Yun Xiangxiang.

　　The waiter carefully placed the egg, about to hatch into a divine beast, on the table. Si Yao, who had been quietly observing, pursed her lips. Jiang Shuo truly lived up to his reputation as the male lead of “The Proud Sky” novel; he was a master of showing off.

　　Through it all, Jiang Shuo did not spare a single glance for anyone. Eyes fixed on this priceless treasure wrested from the two great clans, he turned to Si Yao and said, “I remember you have a fire-element spiritual root.”

　　Si Yao blinked in confusion. When she was playing the villainous female supporting character in her last mission, she seemed to have a single fire-attribute spiritual root. But why was he asking this now?

　　Her puzzled expression made Jiang Shuo smile faintly. He curled his lips and said, “This Vermilion Bird hatchling is just right for you.”

　　Si Yao: “?”

　　What do you mean, male lead?

　　“For me?” she asked blankly.

　　“Mm,” Jiang Shuo replied softly.

　　Their conversation was quiet, yet it stirred waves across the hall. Everyone assumed Jiang Shuo had bought the egg for Yun Xiangxiang. No one expected it was actually for the blue-clad woman sitting beside him.

　　Since the auction began, the woman had quietly stayed in her seat. That brief first glimpse of her beauty had already made everyone present stare in awe.

　　Whispers started circulating around again.

　　“Looking at the Yun clan’s reaction, I thought Jiang Shuo bought it for Yun Xiangxiang. Turns out he didn’t.”

　　“Looks like the rumors were wrong. Jiang Shuo and Yun Xiangxiang aren’t actually a thing. Could it be that the woman by his side is really the one he cares about?”

　　Hearing Jiang Shuo and Si Yao’s words, Yun Xiangxiang’s face drained of all color, turning deathly pale.

　　All those days she had worried over Jiang Shuo’s life, had risked everything for him, and it counted for nothing.

　　A young woman standing beside Yun Xiangxiang saw her pale, miserable face and remembered how Yun Xiangxiang had taken that deadly blow for Jiang Shuo, poisoned almost to death.

　　And yet Jiang Shuo had turned out to be so ungrateful, throwing away Yun Xiangxiang’s devotion.

　　The woman’s anger flared instantly. She felt Jiang Shuo’s behavior was truly despicable. Her voice rose sharp and scornful as she said, “I always wondered who this famous Jiang Shuo really was. Turns out he’s just a shallow, ungrateful man.”

　　Jiang Shuo hadn't given the Yun clan a second glance until this woman mocked him. Finally, this ruthless man slightly raised his eyes, his cold gaze sweeping over them.

　　His icy gaze was full of hostility, and even this indifferent look made her heart tighten.

　　Still, thinking of Yun Xiangxiang’s suffering, she gritted her teeth and continued, “Xiangxiang risked her life for you, poisoned almost to death, and here you are, bringing some random woman to the auction.”

　　The woman’s anger boiled over, her voice sharper than before. “If Xiangxiang hadn’t saved you, you wouldn’t even be alive today! You’re ungrateful, and on top of that, you take what belongs to Xiangxiang and give it to this woman. If that isn’t despicable, what is?”

　　She lifted her chin, her expression arrogant as she stared at Jiang Shuo and Si Yao, every word dripping with righteous indignation, as if she wanted to publicly disgrace him.

　　Jiang Shuo’s aura turned deadly. He furrowed his brows, eyes darkening with a sharp, oppressive force. A low pressure seemed to radiate from him.

　　The woman’s words were loud enough for everyone present to hear, and they all thought it astonishing. Jiang Shuo and Yun Xiangxiang had such a past?

　　Yet no one dared to speak up against him, his presence alone silencing the crowd.

　　Si Yao knew the Yun clan was doing this on purpose. They wanted to smear Jiang Shuo, apply pressure from the outside, and make him appear ungrateful. Jiang Shuo disliked arguing, so this would definitely earn him a reputation for being heartless.

　　Seeing Jiang Shuo’s cold expression, Si Yao worried that he might turn the place upside down at any second. She rested her small, jade-like hand over his, her voice soft and gentle, “Don’t worry, I’m here.”

　　She then rose gracefully, her voice clear and calm. “So, according to your Yun clan, how does Jiang Shuo owe you?”

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